So the powers that be have made a crazy decision and decided to drop Kitesurfing and put Windsurfing RSX back in for Rio 2016.Really strange outcome after all the recommendations at the ISAF conference all week to keep kiting in. But hey, politics and money is something I will never understand? Not sure how they can reinstate a dying class that will be pumping around the course in Rio, not very enjoyable to watch and especially after the RSX class took ISAF to court costing them at least £35000 in legal fees. Still I'm not entirely sure Kitesurfing was ready for the Olympics anyhow?I do feel real sorry for all my friends who have now lost their Olympic dream especially Steph and Olly Bridge who were looking like being the first ever mother, son combo at an Olympic games.so lets look at the positives-

Even being selected for the Olympics has increased media attention and awareness that Kiteracing is a high performance sailing sport.

Every country now has some kind of kiteracing going on and sailing clubs have started to include kiteracing events all around the world

The kiteracing world tour can now go back to being run by the PKRA who were heading in the right direction and had some great events coming on board

It will now be left to people who are passionate about kitesurfing and do racing for the love and sportmanship rather than just for a job with no passion. This was something I didn't like at the IKA Worlds this year!

we have gained a lot of kitesurfers who have given it a try because of the Olympics. some of these may go back to RSX some may stay kiteracing, some freestyle and some may even wave ride ;)

We can now keep developing equipment, courses, race structure and most importantly a training network and clear pathway enabling the youth to get into kiteracing on our own terms.

By the time ISAF come begging for Kitesurfing to be included in 2020 to save sailing as an Olympic sport, we will have a set structure and can go in on our terms as kiters rather than changing to what they want as yachties.

I would like to thank everyone involved in this process especially Markus at the IKA. It's been a rollercoaster ride but i am positive that this outcome is the best for the sport and Kiteracing will only become stronger from it.If you are looking for kitesurf race coaching or just to get into kitesurfing then gp to my school in Cornwall- Pasty AdventuresCheersLee